PocoNotes Newsletter 2006-2: June 28, 2006


There has been so much going on since our last newsletter that we don't know exactly where to start. So, I'll open with a quote that Pat shared with me recently that will sum up our journey to date: "Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." (Update: Turns out that it's a T.S. Eliot quote!)

I'll tell you this: there are a lot of very kind and talented people out there on the fringes! We're honored to be among them!

Okay, on to the news, in order as it has occurred, mostly:

Boy Scout Troop 322 from Dickson City. headed by Frank Marcin, has agreed to be our auxiliary ushers for the July 15th From NOLA to NEPA Benefit Concert. Mr. Marcin is an attorney whose offices are located in Scranton. Hopefully, we won't be needing him - or hearing from him - in THAT capacity.

We attended Mike Arnone's 17th Annual Crawfish Fest at the Sussex Fairgrounds in Augusta, New Jersey, on June 3rd and 4th. In spite of torrential rain, thousands of people showed up to listen to an American art form. Three stages of constant music from 17 acts of New Orleans music, one of which was our very own local talent: Funk N Gumbo. They are NOT to be missed. Their "covers" are excellent and, if you can believe it, their original stuff is better! Okay...don't believe us. You can hear it for yourself when their new CD comes out in the Fall. We're definitely looking forward to doing something with them. Perhaps we can be a part of their CD tour. What about it, Bill?

The Storyville Stompers Brass Band will be coming to town a few days early. In fact, when their plane arrives in Avoca airport on Thursday, July 13th, they will be met by a police escort (the good kind) that will ensure their timely arrival at Lackawanna Stadium for their 6:15 on-field concert. Even better is that they've been invited to open the game that evening with their version of our National Anthem. The first 1,000 visitors to the stadium (of the 7,000 or so that are expected) will receive authentic Mardi Gras beads just received from New Orleans. Tickets are still available...just go to PocoNotes.com. The Red Barons website is listed among some of our other "Friends."

Lackawanna Wonderful isn't just an ad campaign. Lackawanna County is as good as they say. In fact, they've stepped up in a big way to support our benefit concert by inviting The Storyville Stompers to play once more - this time in Scranton's Courthouse Square on Friday, July 14th, at 12:00 Noon...but there will be a photo shoot first with members of our local county government. The only thing that would make us happier than seeing these guys play some of the music that makes New Orleans so special would be to see some of these photos show up in the Times-Picayune. Is there anyone out there that can help with this?

So, have we told you yet that we've been invited to be on-air with Bob Putignano of WFDU-FM on Monday, July 10th, at 8:00 a.m.? If I did, it was worth repeating. Be sure to tune in to 89.1 on the left side of your radio dial on Mondays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to thank Bob for his support of our worthy cause. AND...be sure to listen on July 10th...they'll be ticket giveaways!

John Rocklin is another new friend, whose compassion and support of our efforts cannot be put into words. It's good people like him that will renew your faith in all of humanity. We absolutely believe that it was his good karma that scared away the buckets of rain that threatened to wash out his First Annual Honesdale Roots And Rhythm Festivall, which was held in Honesdale's Central Park this past Saturday. The forecast was for 90% chance of flooding rain. The day was blue skys and the air wasn't wet...it was filled with the strains of some amazing music. Visit John at his website - John Rocklin Photography to see his stunning photos of musicians caught in the act. His photos are so good, you can almost hear the music. You can see John's other handiwork at Honesdale Roots And Rhythm. We'll be there next year for the Second Annual!

Then there's Michael Cloeren of Mountain Of Blues, who has revamped his radio schedule to showcase our benefit concert. Tune in to 102.3 The Mountain on Monday, July 3rd, at 7:00 p.m. to hear his show, which is has dedicated to New Orleans musicians. Hey...tune in EVERY Monday to hear his show. You'll be transported to someplace terrific each week.

On to Ginny Buckley... the new "Sheriff" in town. Yep, it's true. She is now the official PocoNotes publicist extraodinaire. You can find out more about her at GBPress. When she takes an hour or two off from helping us with our show, I'll have some time to look, too. Boy...she's kept us on our toes.

Okay, that's it for now. There are 18 days to the show! Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster. Buy yours...support the musicians...have a great time...stop by and say hello to us!

Until next time...our hearts and our thanks to the Red Barons, Lackawanna County, Bob Putignano, John Rocklin, Michael Cloeren....and the Sheriff!

Talk to you soon. Remember, you can always visit us at PocoNotes.com to see what we’re doing!

Dolores & Pat
“It’s About The Music!”